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Prospects for MH17 prosecution dim amid high Ukraine tensions

A member of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic forces stands guard during a commemoration ceremony at the site of the Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 plane crash near the village of Hrabove in Donetsk region, Ukraine.

Friday marks one year since Malaysia Airlines flight MH17 was downed in eastern Ukraine, killing 298 people. Although progress has been made on the investigation, determining and prosecuting those responsible will be difficult as fighting in the region continues despite a cease-fire.

Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak stressed Saturday that the investigation into the incident is ongoing, saying he is confident it will soon determine who is responsible. The crash killed 43 Malaysians.

The tragedy came at a time of deepening tensions between Moscow and the US and European countries amid Russia's intervention in Ukraine. The Ukrainian government claimed that pro-Russian forces backed by Moscow used a Russian-made Buk surface-to-air missile to shoot down the plane. The US and Europe also suspected separatist involvement. Meanwhile, Russia insisted a Ukrainian military jet had downed MH17.